Calcipotriene: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage - Drugvu

ℹ️ Compiled from public regulatory records · Last regulator revision: December 7, 2023

Calcipotriene

Overview

Plain-language summary, compiled from the cited regulatory records

Calcipotriene is a vitamin D analogue used in combination with a corticosteroid for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis [1]. It belongs to the drug class of other antipsoriatics for topical use [1]. This combination product is approved for patients 12 years of age and older who have plaque psoriasis [1].

Calcipotriene and Betamethasone Dipropionate Ointment is one formulation that contains calcipotriene [1]. This medication is available under various brand names in the market [1].

In the last 12 months, there have been 363 adverse event reports associated with calcipotriene-containing products [2]. The most frequently reported adverse events include reports of the drug being ineffective, off-label use, psoriasis, joint pain (arthralgia), and high blood pressure (hypertension) [2].

This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Regulatory status by market

Market	Regulator	Products	Last revision
US United States	FDA	1	December 7, 2023

USUnited States· FDA

1 product

Uses

USOfficial regulatory label· revised December 7, 2023[1]

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Calcipotriene and Betamethasone Dipropionate Ointment is indicated for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis in patients 12 years of age and older. Calcipotriene and Betamethasone Dipropionate Ointment is a vitamin D analogue and corticosteroid combination product indicated for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis in patients 12 years of age and older.

How to take

Sources & citations

[1]FDA DailyMed · 174c5378-f2b9-4e… · revised December 7, 2023 [PDF]
[2]OpenFDA adverse-event reports (US), 12 months ending June 4, 2026.

Information on this page is compiled from public regulatory records. Drugvu is not affiliated with any regulator or pharmaceutical manufacturer. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Side effects & warnings

USOfficial regulatory label· Adverse reactions· revised December 7, 2023[1]

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The most common adverse reactions (≥1%) are pruritus and scaly rash. gov/medwatch. 1 Clinical Trials Experience Clinical Trials Conducted in Subjects 18 years and older with Plaque Psoriasis The data described below reflect exposure to calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate ointment in 2448 subjects with plaque psoriasis, including 1992 exposed for 4 weeks, and 289 exposed for 8 weeks.
Calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate ointment was studied primarily in placebo- and active-controlled trials (N = 1176, and N = 1272, respectively). The population was 15-97 years old, 61% males and 39% females, mostly white (97%) and had a baseline disease severity ranging from mild to very severe.
5 g. 4% in the vehicle group. 3) A lesional/perilesional adverse event was generally defined as an adverse event located ≤ 2 cm from the lesional border. 1) For subjects who reported lesional/perilesional adverse events, the median time to onset was 7 days for calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate ointment, 7 days for calcipotriene, 5 days for betamethasone dipropionate, and 3 days for vehicle.
1%) were, in decreasing order of incidence, folliculitis, rash papular, rash pustular, and skin hypopigmentation. 1%). In a separate trial, subjects (N = 207) with at least moderate disease severity were given calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate ointment intermittently on an “as needed” basis for up to 52 weeks.
4 g per week. The effects of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate ointment on calcium metabolism were not studied and the effects on the HPA axis were not adequately studied. 0%). One case of serious flare-up of psoriasis was reported.
2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions associated with the use of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate ointment have been identified post-approval: pustular psoriasis and rebound effect. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Postmarketing reports for local adverse reactions to topical corticosteroids may also include: striae, dryness, acneiform eruptions, perioral dermatitis, secondary infection and miliaria.

USOfficial regulatory label· Warnings and precautions· revised December 7, 2023[1]

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria have been observed. If either occurs, discontinue treatment until parameters of calcium metabolism normalize. 1) • Calcipotriene and Betamethasone Dipropionate Ointment can produce reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency during and after withdrawal of treatment.
Risk factors include the use of high-potency topical corticosteroid, use over a large surface area or to areas under occlusion, prolonged use, concomitant use of more than one corticosteroid-containing product, altered skin barrier, liver failure, and use in pediatric patients.
Modify use should HPA axis suppression develop. 4) • Calcipotriene and Betamethasone Dipropionate Ointment may increase the risk of cataract and glaucoma. If visual symptoms occur, consider referral to an ophthalmologist. 1 Hypercalcemia and Hypercalciuria Hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria have been observed with use of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate ointment.
If hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria develops, treatment should be discontinued until parameters of calcium metabolism have normalized. In the trials that included assessment of the effects of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate ointment on calcium metabolism, such testing was done after 4 weeks of treatment.
2)] . 2 Effects on Endocrine System Calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate ointment can cause reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression with the potential for clinical glucocorticosteroid insufficiency. This may occur during treatment or upon withdrawal of treatment.
Factors that predispose a patient to HPA axis suppression include the use of high-potency corticosteroids, large treatment surface areas, prolonged use, concomitant use of more than one corticosteroid-containing product, use of occlusive dressings, altered skin barrier, liver failure, and young age.
2)]. In a trial evaluating the effects of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension and calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate ointment on the HPA axis, 32 adult subjects were treated with calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension on the scalp and calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate ointment on the body.

This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview

Regulatory status by market

USUnited States· FDA

Drugs in the same class

Sources & citations